Understanding Chief Feature

My understanding about chief feature is this: That each of us has an inherent central “feature” which is at the core of who we are and how we manifest. Everyone’s chief feature is unique. Gurdjieff called it chief fault. It was suggested to me by Mr. Bennett as the tint of glass through which I see the world. Therefore, it is impossible to see one’s own chief feature, even when told what it is by a teacher. Mr. Bennett told me my chief feature was that I expect everyone to see the world through my eyes. But I can never catch myself doing that.

Yet I discovered an indirect approach, using my other senses. Wishing to learn about my chief feature, I began to recognize it manifesting through a certain tightness in my body, the tone of my voice, attitudes—I began to recognize its smell, taste, sound.  It’s what invariably lands me in trouble!

The interesting thing about chief feature is that it can also become our central strength. In the beginning, I thought of this as two sides of a coin—the bad side and the good side of chief feature. But it’s not like that. It’s the same coin, but one must push through to the other side to manifest the positive. It is a transformation, yet you are still the same person.

Manifesting Chief Feature

I was manifesting my chief feature in all its glory during a recent Claymont seminar. Someone relatively new to the work was using the STOP! exercise during practical work. In last week’s blog I addressed my understanding of the STOP! exercise and of how this person’s use of it upset me. I assumed that he would see I knew better than him how the STOP! exercise was to be used. I also saw that I was reacting. By owning my emotion, a space was created, allowing for something new to enter.

At the January 13^th feast the next night, there was a moment in the middle of a conversation—the energy was becoming frenetic, and I had the sense that a STOP! was called for. But who had the authority to do so? What came to me was that I did. This would not have occurred to me if my young friend had not had the courage to use the STOP! exercise earlier. However, by hesitating, the moment passed. The next day another opportunity arose. This time I acted but my STOP! did not carry the force needed. I could hear in my voice that it had not come from the right place in myself. I learned something that my new friend must be learning too. The STOP! is an exercise for both the giver and the receiver.

Seeing One’s Self

My final take-away concerning my own Chief feature was this: At the same instant that I saw another through my tinted glasses, I was also perceiving myself through that same tint.